Mouth-mirror



R. H. STALEY.

MOUTH MIRROR. APPLICATION FiLED JUNE 16. 1919.

1,364, 15 1 Patnted (12111.4, 1921. V

RALEIGH I-I. STALEY, OLE SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

MOUTH-MIRROR.

Application filed June 16, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RALEIGH H. STALEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Sangamon and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mouth-Vlirrors, of which the following is a specifica tion, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in mouth mirrors for use in case of an individual desiring to examine the conditions of his or her teeth.

Heretofore, this has been accomplished by inserting a small hand mirror into the mouth to the rear of the tooth or teeth to be examined, and then reflecting the same into a second mirror positioned exterior and adjacent the opened mouth. This method of examination can only be accomplished by the use of an extremely small mirror which can be held within the mouth by hand, and only the teeth to the forward part of the mouth are accessible to this form of examination, as it is of course a matter of impossibility to insert the hand sufliciently far enough into the mouth to reflect the condition of the rear molars. This has proven to be a very unsatisfactory as well as an unsanitary method and has resulted in the individual seeking the services of a dentist in some cases merely to satisfy his or her curiosity as to the existing condition of their teeth.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies heretofore known and provide a mouth mirror or periscope of simple and inexpensive construction, by which individuals can readily and at all times examine the condition of their teeth, more particularly the rear surfaces thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mouth periscope in which the reflecting surface can be adjusted to any desired angle to disclose any particular portlon of the interior of the mouth without depending upon the vertical manipulation of the device by the individual. i

A still further object of the device is to provide a structure wherein the necessity of supporting the lips and depressing the tongue is taken care of so as not to interfere with the functioning of the reflecting surfaces.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

Serial No. 804,477.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and other modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto ap pended.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, wherein similar letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete device.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a forward mirror with the side bars or supports in section illustrating the manner of connection between said mirror and said side bars or supports.

Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 2, but of the rear mirror showing the tongue depressors attached thereto.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a modification wherein a single bar or support is employed in place of the rectangular frame shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the front mirror used in connection with the modified form illustrated in Fig. 4:.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the form of tongue depressor shown in. Fig. 4, and

Fig. 7 is a cross section of the single supporting bar showing the manner of fric' tionally maintaining the mirrors in their desired adjusted position.

Having special reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, 1 indicates a rectangular frame, which in this case forms the support for the structure hereinafter described. Adjacent the front and rear ends and positioned within the frame 1 are front and rear mirrors 2 and 3 respectively. These mirrors are so arranged within the frame with their reflecting surfaces toward each other as shown. Preferably these mirrors are so attached to the supporting frame to permit of a slight pivotal motion so that an angular adjustment of the individual mirrors may be had. This pivotal connection is accomplished through the employment of a transversely split resilient band 4 adapted to frictionally engage the peripheral edges of the mirrors and having thereon diametri- .end portions.

secure the {depressor-s into position.

band 4.

Slidably adjustable on the frame 1, intermediate the mirrors 2 and 3 is a teeth or lipband ;8 which is preferably made of resilient sheet metal so that the sides thereof have frictional contact with the side bars of the frame ,1. Thisfrictional contact is sufficientto hold the band 8 into any of its ad'usted positions.

igs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 deal with a slightly modified form of the'structure illustrated in Figs. -1, 2and'3. Inthis modification there is employed a single supporting bar 9 in lieu of the rectangular frame 1. This bar 9 is apertured as at 1010 adjacent its The mirrors 11 and 12 are held within a split resilient band the ends 14-14 of which are oppositely beveled as at 15 so that when the ends are in'sertedinto the apertures 10 of the bar 9 as shown in F1g..7, they are wedged therein and there- -fore locked against rotative movement.

The tongue depressor 16 used in connection with this modification is shown in Fig. 6 and is provided with 'a tubular sleeve 17 adapted to fit 'upon the bar 9. If desired a holding screw 18 may be inserted to firmly Also inthis modification the lip or teeth sup porting band 19 is provided with a sleeve portion QO-receiVed uponthe bar 9 and held. if desired,by-binding screw 21.

W'hen-an individual desires to inspect his or her teeth, the mirrors are-adjusted to the degree of angularityto properly reflect into the forward mirror the image or object shown in the rear mirror. The device is then placed within the mouth with the rear mirror to' the rear of the tooth to be inspected whilethe forward mirror is exterior of the mouth. In this position the depressor associated with the rear mirror will hold the tongue back so as not to interfere with the examination, also the lip or teeth supportingbandis so positioned on the supporting frame 'or bar to provide a rest against which the lips or teeth may be placed. Theindividual then merely" casts his eyes-down to look into the forward mirror wherein there will be reflected the tooth or teeth shown in the rear mirror.

What I claim is:

1. A mouth mirror, comprising a frame,

opposi ely disposed; efle ting surfaces sup- 3. A mouth mirror comprising aframe,

oppositely disposed reflecting surfaces supported thereon, and alip supporter slidably mounted on the frame intermediate. the refl'ecting surfaces. 1

4:. A mouth'mirror comprising a frame, a. mirror pivotally connected to each end of the frame, the reflecting surfaces o'fthe mirrors being directed toward one anther, and a lip support adjustably-mounted on the frame intermediate "the pivoted mirrors.

5. A mouth mirror -com p'rising a frame, oppositely disposed reflecting surfaces supported'on the frame, and'a lip supporter carried by the frame, said lip supporter comprising a ring surrounding the frame.

6. A mouth mirror-comprising a frame, oppositely disposed reflecting I surfaces supported on the frame, and a lip supporter adjustable on the frame, said lip supporter.

comprising a ring surroiinding and frictionally engaging the frame.

7 A mouth mirror comprising a frame formed of parallel spaced rods, and oppositely disposed reflecting surfaces pivotally mounted between the rods. v V

8. A month -mirror comprisinga frame formed of parallel spaced rods, oppositely disposed reflecting surfaces pivotally mounted between the rods, and a lip supporter sl'idahly-mounted on and frictionally fleeting surfaces, and means for holding the su porter in adjusted position.

n testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. Y RALEIGH H. STALEY. Witnesses ROSA SCHIMENZ, WM. L. HALBERT. 

